16th December 2005, 11:38 AM
USA most succesful is still something that may need to be shown (though staying power is likely only one catagory). But power? Yes, in terms of raw physical might, the USA IS the most powerful nation that has ever been. In terms of raw physical might, ANY army that EVER existed would be laid utter waste to within moments without a chance of survival.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)